South Alabama & Troy hires new Men Basketball coaches this week

Coach Matthew Graves 

South Alabama has hired Butler assistant Matthew Graves and held a press conference on yesterday to introduce Graves. South Alabama head coach Ronnie Arrow retired at the beginning of the season, after only 10 games. Assistant Jeff Price took over the program as interim head coach, and did a great job to close out the Jags season with a 17-13 record.

Matthew Graves brings experience to South Alabama, having served on Butler MBB staff as an assistant. Coach Graves has helped Butler to two NCAA finals in recent years.

Welcome to South Alabama and the Sun Belt Conference.

Coach Phil Cunningham

Troy hires Western Kentucky Cunningham:

Troy has hired Phil Cunningham from rival Western Kentucky. Coach Cunningham was introduced in a news conference Tuesday at Trojan Arena to replace Don Maestri, who retired at the Sun Belt tournament after 31 seasons and 500 wins.

Cunningham spent five years as an assistant under Lefty Driesell at James Madison and Georgia State and worked for 12 seasons at Mississippi State. He spent one season at Western Kentucky.

Welcome to Troy Coach Cunningham. 

Four is headed to the Sun Belt Conference in 2014; Projected divisions in football for championship

Georgia Southern Football

Well the Sun Belt Conference has finally made it happen and looks as if they will be extending four invitations to (2) FCS powerhouses and (2) former WAC football members that will be independents in 2013.

On Monday the Sun Belt has made it known that they are inviting long expected Georgia Southern, and Appalachian State two FCS Southern Conference members and New Mexico State and Idaho of the WAC, soon to be independent FBS members in 2013. The Sun Belt stuck with their plans to add additional members within thirty days.

Georgia Southern and Appalachian State was expected, but New Mexico State and Idaho was a guess. Sun Belt Conference expanded their geographic footprint in football only and stayed within their footprint for all other sports. New Mexico State and Idaho will join in football only in 2014, while Georgia Southern and Appalachian State will join in all sports in 2014. They will be FBS independent transitional members in 2014 and could compete for all Sun Belt Championships and post seasons bowl games in 2015.

NMSU and Idaho will both join on July 1, 2014 and be eligible to compete for the conference title and post season bowl games in 2014.

The Sun Belt Conference is adding four members after they lost four members in Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Middle Tennessee State and North Texas to C-USA. When the Sun Belt Conference meet to expand they thought big and expanded enough to create a new conference football championship game beginning in 2015, when the new FBS playoff system kick in.  The Sun Belt Conference wants to be competitive in the new process and don’t want to be over looked.

I really commend the SBC board and AD’s for this move, this is what our conference should look like and it brings more excitement to the conference. It is believe that the conference will be made up of two divisions a (East) and a (West) division that will look like the following; (West) UL-Lafayette, UL-Monroe, Arkansas State, Texas State,  New Mexico State and Idaho and the (East) will consists of Western Kentucky, South Alabama, Troy, Georgia State, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State all in football.

Rumors are that each division will play eight conference games, all six members plus two cross over members. Each member will have the opportunity to play four non-conference games beginning in 2015.

It is expected that C-USA will call Western Kentucky that will cause the Sun Belt Conference to be without one and back down to 11 members in football. If this so happens the SBC will be extending an invitation once again, but the question is to whom? Many believe that that invitation will go to Sam Houston State in Texas among others.

Georgia Southern and Appalachian State brings a big rivalry to the Sun Belt Conference, and Georgia State and Southern will not create their long projected rivalry. That looks nice to see that the SBC has two members in Georgia. App State and GSU also brings in large attendances, which will also help the conference. I wonder who will get the first home game between the two schools. This will be an exciting first FBS conference game between the two can’t wait.

No stopping for Louisiana –Monroe in spring practice

ULM in 2013 spring drills 

Louisiana-Monroe is looking to keep the momentum going in spring practice. After a great season in FBS football last season and reaching their first ever post season bowl game as a FBS team, coach Todd Berry and his returning starters is looking to bring in the new players as they prepare for their spring game.

We will be watching the wide receiver and linebacker positions in the spring to see who can step up and help QB Browning this fall and help the Warhawks to another great season.

18 starters are returning to the Warhawks and look for this season to be explosive…. 

ULL Football officially in 2013 Spring Practice

ULL Head Coach on the field

Third-year Louisiana head football coach Mark Hudspeth and his football players who are taking part in 15 spring practices is in full swing and already has held one spring scrimmage resulting in the offense winning the scrimmage.

ULL is still celebrating a wonderful season last fall and winning their second New Orleans R&L Carriers Bowl. The players are excited and looking forward to a even better season this fall.  Hudspeth opened the first practice with a new twist. Just like the Oklahoma Tackling drill that he used a year ago to increase the intensity at the start of the practice, he created a variation of his "Don't let go of the rope" theme to inspire the Cajuns.

It’s seems that Coach Hudspeth is happy with the Ragin Cajuns spring practice thus far.

Conditions could not have been better on Friday afternoon as the Ragin’ Cajuns football team held its first spring practice in full pads.

Third year offensive coordinator Jay Johnson has a mostly veteran unit to work with as quarterback Terrance Broadway returns along with the entire offensive backfield, three starters on the offensive line and all but two of the receivers.

“We’ve had a lot of energy and excitement out there,” Johnson said.  “We’ve thrown a lot at them very quickly and the defense has been giving them some new looks which has challenged them.  We need to take what we are learning and apply it to the field.”

The Cajuns defense is a work in progress as James Willis took over as defensive coordinator in January making spring ball the first opportunity for the defenders to learn and implement the system.

For Willis, the biggest obstacle that he wants the Cajuns to overcome is history.

“I’ve seen some steady progress this week as we teach these guys a new defense and watch them put it in action,” Willis said.  “The system isn’t difficult, but it is different from the one that was used the last couple of years.

Troy football scheduled for three ESPNU games in 2013

Troy is looking for an exciting season in 2013 as they are beginning to bounce back to where they once were. In 2013 the Troy Trojans is locking up on TV appearances and they are looking to wear a crown.

So far three of the Trojans football games will be televised on national TV according to the Sun Belt Conference.  Troy will host ULM, and travel to UL-Lafayette for both home games. Troy will also get a Thursday night game against Arkansas State on ESPNU as well.

Troy is loaded and talented and expect the Trojans to be a force in 2013. 

South Alabama spring practice is under way

Jaguars are back on the field in 2013

On Thursday morning the South Alabama Jaguars begin their first practice of 2013. The Jaguars are preparing for what could be a rewarding season in the Sun Belt Conference and their FBS history.

According to USAjaguars.com Coach Jones said the first day was OK with just a little confusion on the field with everybody trying to get use to the changes the team has implemented in new coaches. Other than the program is kicking into high gear as they prepare for a much anticipated spring game on April 6th at 2pm and results as their head into their full fledge year of FBS football.

On this year rosters are 26 seniors and all are working for a prize this year, the team is eligible for the Sun Belt Conference Championship and a post season bowl invitation. South Alabama also bring in new coaches in Kevin Sherrer as Defensive Coordinator and new assistants on defense in Coach Roach and Pearson.

Expect this spring practice for the Jags to be about eliminating much of their team mistakes and all about fundamentals.  

Also note that your insider was correct on the possible South Alabama Jaguars Schedule, as the Sun Belt Conference released its 2013 schedule on yesterday March 1, 2013.  See the post here http://sunbeltinsider.blogspot.com/2013/02/south-alabama-may-have-exciting-home.html

Sun Belt Conference releases their 2013 Football Schedule

With spring practices under the way or beginning soon for many Sun Belt schools, they have now learned their complete 2013 Sun Belt Football schedule.

For the first time the Sun Belt Schedule will include two new members in Georgia State and Texas State. All Sun Belt schools will play seven games in the conference and five non conference games. Florida International, Florida Atlantic, North Texas and Middle Tennessee have all left for Conference USA. With those departures the Sun Belt Conference schedule still looks appealing.  

Here is a look at some of the notable non-conference games and conference games for the Sun Belt Conference in 2013.

Notable Non- Conference Games:

South Alabama at Tennessee
Texas State at Texas State

Arkansas State at Auburn

UL-Monroe at Oklahoma

Troy at Ole Miss

UL-Lafayette at Arkansas

Western Kentucky at Kentucky

Georgia State at Alabama

Notable Conference Games:

Arkansas State at Western Kentucky

South Alabama at Troy

Troy at Arkansas State

UL-Monroe at Louisiana – Lafayette

South Alabama at Georgia State

Troy at Western Kentucky

Texas State at UL-Lafayette

I will bring you more coverage during spring practices and later in the year. 

Sun Belt Conference to discuss Expansion on March 9th

"Who will it be, or will they act?"

During a time when schools are divorcing a conference to be married to a new conference, the Sun Belt Conference finds itself searching for new additions to it’s family.  

The Insider has received word that the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner, school presidents and athletics directors will all meet to discuss conference expansion on March 9^th during the Conference Basketball tournament in Hot Springs, AR. No official word from the Sun Belt Conference or the commissioner himself, but a source has informed me that they will meet to discuss this ever changing situation.

There have been many rumors in the past and lately about expansion possibilities with the Sun Belt Conference. I’ve posted several reports here on my blog when I received information as well, not to say my sources was incorrect. I believe they were correct, just the conference didn’t move during that time. Now we are back at it again, and we all are waiting to see what happens next in the Sun Belt Conference.

In these expansion talks, it is expected to center around adding two to four new teams to the conference.  We all know that Commissioner Karl Benson and others within the Sun Belt wants to keep that geography footprint close. But there is a question that is yet to be answered, and that is how many other Sun Belt AD’s and presidents agree to that or want to branch out for success?  We already know where Troy stands with all this; Troy is rooting for Georgia Southern and Appalachian State as new members.

However I have learned that the Sun Belt Conference presidents and AD’s will be presented with several plans on March 9^th to consider for expansion or they will also have the option to remain as is and not expand in 2013-2014. The plans are as follows;

1.       Add Appalachian State & Georgia Southern

2.       Add Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, New Mexico State and Idaho

3.       Add Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, James Madison and Delaware

4.       No Expansion for Sun Belt Conference

5.       A plan that will add two members for all others sports beside football.

All five of these plans sounds interesting and a positive sign for growth. But will it be any plans that all could agree upon.  We will break it down in a few.  First let me say that I love plan #2 and I will explain why I love that that plan in a few as well. But first let’s look who has left the Sun Belt Conference to cause these talks.

First North Texas and Florida International was the first two teams to exit the Sun Belt for C-USA.  Then came another raid by the Big East to C-USA, and there go Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic. So there you have it, four teams have left the Sun Belt Conference for C-USA. That leaves the SBC with only 10 all sports members and 8 football playing members.

Let’s say this, we know that the Sun Belt would love to get back to 12 all sports playing members, and would like to be back at 10 football playing members. But there are some in the Sun Belt Conference thinks 12 playing members in all sports would be even better. That would also give the SBC a football championship game if they decided to go with 12 football members. That would be exciting and generate additional revenue for the conference.  There is no doubt that the league and it’s member schools are looking for additional revenue. Who’s not?

The Sun Belt Conference has a chance to act on plan #1 by adding Appalachian State and Georgia Southern to the league. Those two teams bring what the league may be looking for in rivalries, and geographic footprint. Both teams has been successful in the SonCon and FCS, having been to several national FCS championships and leaving with crowns. These two schools also have a great following and their home football game attendance is better than some current league members.  A TV contract would love to include those two teams.

Well if the Sun Belt is looking to add 12 members in all sports, then App. State and Georgia Southern fits the eastern division and now I would throw in plan #2. Why plan #2 Insider? Well I have to say that New Mexico and Idaho is two well established FBS programs, many would think that New Mexico State would not bring much in football, but in basketball they will. Well that may be true for a moment.  Who knows how the program will turn around now that they have a new coach in place and if they would join the SBC. Adding New Mexico State and Idaho two former members of the Sun Belt Conference would be a great addition to the western division. 

If two divisions are created in all sports, then all schools would play other division members not the same every year may every other year. That would help eliminate much travel every year back and forth. It’s a plan that could be worked out in many facets.  But will the league members be willing to do so. Idaho and New Mexico State brings a rivalry to the conference as well if added and that could be an additional rivalry game in the conference, which could go along with many others like Louisiana-Lafayette and La-Monroe, South Alabama and Troy, and then let us not forget Arkansas State & Western Kentucky that exists already. With Georgia State, Texas State and Texas – Arlington coming in on July 1; more rivalries will be created and expected to be great.  Imagine Georgia Southern and Georgia State matchup every year, Appalachian State and Georgia State, Appalachian State and Western Kentucky, New Mexico State and Texas State.  

I really would like to see plan #2 become a reality. We have learned through www.appstatenation.com, through the revealing of several email communications between several of these schools that Georgia Southern and New Mexico State have some interest in joining the Sun Belt Conference together, not to say they will. There was a meeting in Atlanta between the two schools. AppStateNation also reveal a possible map of the new Sun Belt Conference that will include App State and Georgia Southern and no others. So we see here there are many options on the table, but no one really knows which one will be taken and full filled.

Don’t forget conference realignment is not over just yet. The Big East just finished securing a new TV contract for it’s league and members and they may be looking for one more member to get to 12. We already know that Tulsa of C-USA is at the top of the list with UMass. Let’s say the Big East add Tulsa who wants to leave C-USA badly. Well there goes another Sun Belt Conference team, because C-USA will look to the Sun Belt Conference for one more member, and it well may be Western Kentucky, Arkansas State or Georgia State the largest TV market the Sun Belt Conference has right now.

If that happens that would probably delay SBC expansion once again, or change the whole dynamistic of this situation.  We all hope the Sun Belt Conference act next month or before June 1, 2013 to give each of the potential schools time to declare their intentions. I love the Sun Belt Conference and it’s members, I don’t want to see this league fall and disband like the WAC did. If anything I would have rather seen the two conferences merge together. We will be watching and waiting for the big news on the next step this conference will take in the near future, I invite you all to stay tune. 

South Alabama may have an exciting home schedule in 2013

With the Sun Belt Conference scheduled to release their official 2013 Conference schedule on next month. South Alabama may get an exciting home schedule in 2013, which will feature some of the SBC top performers and 2013 SBC bowl teams.

South Alabama will be playing a five game non-conference schedule and two of those games will be in Mobile, Alabama at Ladd Pebbles Stadium with Kent State and Southern Utah.  Kent State was also a top 25 ranked team in 2012 and appeared in the Mobile’s GoDaddy.com Bowl against Sun Belt Conference member Arkansas State where they was defeated by the Red Wolves of Arkansas State.

There are a few news coaches that may be making their way to Mobile as well to take on the Jaguars of South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference. South Alabama will also welcome to new members to the conference in Texas and Georgia State. South Alabama suppose to open the 2013 season the first weekend in September, but with defection in the SBC the Jags had to add another non-conference game and they choose a competitive FCS team to open the season on August 29.

I am also projecting that South Alabama will take on its in-state conference rival Troy on Saturday, September 21, 2013. Hey I might be wrong but a guess don’t hurt.

Here is a look at South Alabama possible 2013 Schedule…..

8/29 – Southern Utah

9/7 – at Tulane                                                                            

9/28 – at Tennessee

10/19 – Kent State

11/16 – at Navy

*Conference schedule *

at Troy

Arkansas State (Ladd Pebbles Stadium) Mobile, AL

at Texas State

Louisiana Lafayette (Ladd Pebbles Stadium) Mobile, AL

Louisiana – Monroe (Ladd Pebbles Stadium) Mobile, AL

at Georgia State

Western Kentucy (Ladd Pebbles Stadium) Mobile, AL

It’s also possible that South Alabama get two bye weeks this fall, however that is not guaranteed.  It seems that the Jaguars have another competitive schedule as they did last year. This year the difference is that the Jags are more experienced and have a lot more talent to take to the field. Don’t count the Jags out in 2013. I believe that the defense will create some problems for a lot of teams in the SBC and a few in the non-conference schedule. South Alabama have brought on some talent from Alabama to coach the defensive side of the ball, so it will be interesting to see this new full FBS team compete for the Sun Belt Conference title and a post season bowl game.

South Alabama is set to begin spring practice on February 28 and host it’s annual spring game on April 6, 2013 at Ladd Pebbles Stadium. 

A look around the Sun Belt Conference on Signing Day 2013

The Sun Belt Conference programs, coaches and staff recruited big this 2013 signing class, I love the talent they have brought in all SBC programs, especially the size of the players. I think the SBC programs can now put together a rooster for this fall that will be very competitive with other FBS schools.

Trent Miles signs his first class at Georgia State

Two three star recruits in OLB Knight Dallas and DT Jalen Lawrence both of Georgia leads the 2013 signing class for the Georgia State Panthers.  Dallas is a 6’1 220lbs OLB from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain and Lawrence is a 6’0 265lb Defensive tackle from Westside High School in Macon, Ga, both of these recruits should get immediate reps and make an immediate impact on the team.

Texas State goes big with it’s 2013 signing class

The Bobcats brings in (2) four star recruits in running back Jamel James 5’11 220lbs of Katy, TX and Brice Gunter 6’3 190lbs a wide receiver from Stephenville, Texas. The Bobcats 2013 recruiting talent continues with (4) three star recruits in Dila Rosemond 5’10 166lbs of Cypress, TX,  JUCO Marcus Dallas a 6’4 245lbs from Reedly, CA, Demun Mercer 6’2 180lbs of La Marque, Texas and offensive guard Jackson Hoskins 6’5 290lbs from Drippings Springs, Texas.

Western Kentucky signs 33 in 2013

Head coach Bobby Petrino's first Western Kentucky recruiting class includes 33 players and some talented players that will help WKU to have a winning program. All Twenty-five prospects signed on Wednesday and the other eight are mid-year enrollees eligible to participate in the Hilltoppers' spring practices.

One four star recruit in Offensive tackle Joe Fennell 6’5 310lbs of South Ft. Myers, FL, and (3) three star offensive linemen stand outs on signing day in JUCO Connor Popeck 6’3 280lbs of Itawamba CC, Olive Branch, MS, Issac Turner 6’0 201lbs of Tampa, FL and Donald Rocker 6’4 301lbs of Sandalwood High, Jacksonville, Fla.

Arkansas State head football coach Bryan Harsin first signing class looking good

Coach Harsin brought in some talent in the Red Wolves 2013 signing class in Offensive line backer Xavier Woodson 6’1 210lbs of Eufaula, Alabama,Carl Lee a 6’3 188lbs wide receiver from Mobile, Alabama,Wide receiver Marquez Lanton 6’1 170lbs from Memphis, TN and  Logan Cart a 6’3 300lbs defensive tackle from Owensboro, Kentucky.

All of these guys plus many other talented players should get immediate reps and playing time with the Arkansas State Red Wolves.

ULL head coach Mark Hudspeth calls his class the most talented in school history

The UL-Lafayette class consists of 22 players, including 18 from high school and four junior college players.

ULL signing day stand outs includes JUCO Cedrick Tillman a 5’9 190lbs corner back from Grenada, MS and JUCO Corey Trim a 5’11 180lbs corner back from Baton Rouge, LA and both are rated at three stars.  Also signing with the Ragin Cajuns on signing day were three start wide receiver Scott Austin 6’3 180lbs of Biloxi, MS, three star offensive line backer James Clark 6’2 205lbs from Sebastian, FL, and Simeon Thomas a 6’3 172lb three star safety from Miami, FL.

UL-Monroe signs talent on Signing Day

Coach Todd Berry brought in a decent class in during the 2013 National Signing Day period. Coach Berry and his staff worked hard this off season in recruiting to land two big recruits in Tevin Horton and Chase Regian and also picking up Bivins Caraway in the process.

(1)    Tevin Horton is a three star RB from River Ridge, LA and stands at 5’10 190lbs.

(2)    Chase Regian is a three star offensive guard from Heath, TX and he stands at 6’3 276lbs.

(3)    Bivins Caraway is a talented QB/DT from Longview, TX and he stands at 5’11 210lbs.

All of these recruits among several others should make an immediate impact on the Warhawks squad in 2013.